Holiday Villa Rentals in the Spanish Balearic Islands

Holiday villa rentals and apartment holiday accommodation in Spain is widely used by northern European visitors for holidays on the Balearic Islands which are situated off the coast of Spain.

A holiday rental apartment reserved direct with the individual property owner may well be a cost-effective means by which to have a decent holiday for people who are feeling the pinch in their holiday budget. The good thing is that generally there is a large variety of holiday accommodation available to rent direct if you know where to start looking. Try searching online using search-terms like 'Balearic Islands holiday rental apartment' or just 'holiday accommodation in Spain'. You will find that there are many websites which list privately owned holiday residences to let on all of the Balearic Islands - the only difficulty is which island to select?

There are four main islands making up the Balearic Islands and a number of smaller islands. The four main islands of the Balearics which are the most popular with overseas visitors are Menorca (also called Minorca), Mallorca (also called Majorca), Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago is an independent community and a province of Spain. The Balearic Islands have two recognized languages which are Spanish and Catalan. All of the islands are favourite summertime holiday destinations for many European visitors who want to book apartment or holiday villa rentals directly from the proprietors of the holiday homes.

Menorca is believed to be the least commercialised and the quietest of the Balearic Islands. It has a complex historical legacy and there are many archaeological sites scattered throughout the island, ranging from prehistoric settlements to superb examples of medieval architecture and some fascinating museums.

It benefits from a fabulous Mediterranean climate with hot summers and agreeably mild winters. Its original landscape remains relatively untouched and it retains many of its Spanish customs. This island is generally preferred by family groups or older holidaymakers who are searching for a restful sunny getaway. It has a larger number of beaches than the other islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Formentera put together and is a popular choice for families who book apartment or holiday villa rentals for a happy-go-lucky seaside holiday.

Many holidaymakers book holiday villa rentals in Mallorca to make the most of the sunshine, the seaside and the night-time entertainment. Magaluf in the south is a favorite place to stay with its wide, sweeping bay and its exciting, vibrant nightlife. There is a choice of hundreds of clubs and discos to suit all tastes. However if you were searching for a quieter resort you should try Alcudia in the north which is more family-friendly. Palma is the capital of the island as well as being capital of the Balearics and is an exciting city packed with culture, heritage, fantastic places to eat with plenty of night-time entertainment. If you pay a visit to Palma don't miss the Almudaina Palace and the amazing Gothic cathedral.

Ibiza is probably the most famous of the islands around the world and it attracts tens of thousands of visitors each and every year. Holidaymakers are enticed by the wonderful beaches and crystal clear sea, the superb scenery, the celebrated nightlife, the selection of holiday rental apartments and holiday villa rentals and the typically lively 'vibe'. In spite of its track record of being a Mecca for the under thirty age group searching for the 'clubbing' scene, Ibiza does, in reality, have a wide selection of holiday resorts which are perfect for all sorts of tourists including an abundance of accommodation suitable for families with young children. There are loads of leisure activities on offer in Ibiza, the most popular of which are water-related. With its miles of coastline and clear blue waters, visitors who love watersports return to the island year after year.

Formentera is to be found just off the coast of Ibiza and is barely twelve miles long from end to end. Travellers to Formentera are attracted by the amazing natural beauty of the countryside and the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere of the island which is a marked contrast to the commercial development and the throngs of people to be found on the neighbouring island of Ibiza. The principal holiday resort on the island is Es Pujols, which has a nice assortment of retail stores, bars and eating places. There are a rather restricted number of hotels and holiday villa rentals to choose from on Formentera so if you want to spend your holiday on this beautiful island during the summer season you really need to book your hotel or villa holiday accommodation in Spain as soon as you can.